Woodward Park Middle School eNews
January 2023
January
Happy New Year to our Woodward Park students, families, teachers and staff members!
December was a whirlwind of activity and celebration at Woodward Park Middle School and we are excited for even more academic achievement, opportunities and education in the new year.
Classes resume on Wednesday, January 4, and we are ready to finish the second quarter strong!
Stay tuned for details for all of the exciting happenings coming up at Woodward Park, and as always, please reach out to our administrators, teachers and staff with any questions or concerns!
Happy New Year from Woodward Park!
Upcoming Events
Classes Resume
Friday, January 13
End of Quarter 2
Monday, January 16
No School
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 17
No School
Professional Development
Wednesday, January 18
No School
Records Day
PROMPT
During the month of January, Woodward Park Wildcats will focus on our Core Value of being PROMPT.
When students are PROMPT, they are in their homeroom seat by 7:30 am and ready to learn, they are walking in the hallways with purpose throughout the day, and they are in each class before each bell rings. Being PROMPT also entails using the restroom quickly, listening for the recess whistle and lining up immediately, and quickly following directions during emergency drills. And of course, being PROMPT with schoolwork means assignments are completed and turned in on time!
Responsible Decision Making Skills
"Responsible Decision-Making: The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.
This includes the capacities to consider ethical standards and safety concerns, and to evaluate the benefits and consequences of various actions for personal, social, and collective well-being."
Being curious and having an open mind
Learning how to make reasonable judgements based on information and facts
Identifying solutions for personal and social problems
Recognizing the importance of critical thinking skills
Recognizing your role in personal, family and community well-being
Learn more at www.casel.org!
Students of the Month
Congratulations to the following Wildcats for displaying our Core Values of Prompt, Prepared, Productive and Polite each and every day!
8th Grade
Rashida Bamba, Carlos Barahona Cortez, Kyrhan Morgan, Ekram Osman, Jayden Reyes, Jordan Singleton and Roy Tabeng
7th Grade
Yennifer Cedillo Ramos, Jordan Garcia, James Lewis, Daryl Manns, Rachel Osei-Owusu, Shamira Parsai and Shaelynn Rodriguez Camey
6th Grade
Lawrence Acheampong, Lysandra Agyemang, Torri Brown, Isha Chuwan, Tyrese Gray, Laila Hamner, Andy Martinez-Ramirez, Cameryn Murphy, Joseph Osei-Adjei and Matthew Rodriguez
Way to go, Wildcats!
7th & 8th Grade Students of the Month
6th Grade Students of the Month
Basketball
Boys vs. World Language
Girls @ World Language
Wednesday, January 11
Boys vs. Dominion
Girls @ Dominion
Monday, January 23
Girls vs. Indianola
Boys @ Indianola
Wednesday, January 25
Boys vs. Medina
Girls @ Medina
CHEER TEAM PERFORMS AT HOME GAMES!
*All games begin at 4:30 pm
**Game tickets are $3 and must be purchased online
***Games resume on Monday, January 9
For complete game schedule and complete details, visit the Woodward Park Middle School Athletics Page!
Let's go, Wildcats!
Congratulations to the Woodward Park Debate Teams!
"The Woodward Park 7th and 8th grade Debate teams took home a 1st and 3rd place trophy at the annual winter tournament at Capital University. They competed against Columbus Gifted Academy, Berwick, Dominion, Indianola, Ridgeview, and World Language Middle Schools. These students debated whether the federal government should significantly reduce the sale of gas-powered vehicles in place of electric-powered. Researching relevant articles/sources, reading, analyzing the pros and cons, writing, editing, teamwork, collaboration, communication.......they did it all! Their hard work certainly paid off in the end.
Four out of the eight participants had debated last year as Walden 6th graders. Those students were: Persis Arhin, Angelique Gasana, Jasiri Makilagi, and Emma Fortner. New to debate were Lexi Oliver, Bella Cook, Joanna Lowe, and Harper Miller.
Coach Matt Berkal could not be prouder of this crew and looks forward to big things in 2023 from all of them!"
Way to go, Wildcats!
Cultural Celebration @ Walden
“Our parents were having a hard time connecting due to the language barrier,” said Emily Oliver, Instructional Assistant. “We really wanted a positive way to connect with our families.”
The staff took immediate action, dusting off plans to host a culture night initially set to take place before the COVID pandemic.
“It’s important to host events like this,” said Jeanette Cuzzolini, secretary. “It brings the community, the students, and their families together.”
This year, the staff took a different approach to the event: inviting the students to lead the way.
“You never know what you’re going to get when it’s student-led, but that’s what makes it exciting,” said Ali Smith, school counselor.
The students and staff represented over 40 countries with tri-fold displays, performances, food, and more.
“Woodward Park is a global community,” said Paul Bailey, principal. “It’s our intention to make our students proud of their country of origin and to teach us something great.”
The night started with breakout sessions where translators guided families through discussions on school and district-related topics.
“Our hope was that families would walk away feeling more connected, understanding how our school works, and not feeling so intimidated by the school,” said Smith.
Among the families were various resources and agencies that exist in the local community.
“It takes a village,” Bailey said, as he spoke about the influence each parent, community partner, and staff member has in the students’ life.
Cultural celebration night allowed sixth graders to engage in diverse cultures and unique perspectives through mutual respect and open dialogue.
“What made this event so special was bringing all the cultural diversities together. Everyone was represented,” said Cuzzolini.
Bailey and the Walden team are in the works of planning for next year’s event to be bigger and better for people of all cultural ethnicities and backgrounds."
-Ms. Tia Wahl
T.A.P.S. Graduation Ceremony
On Thursday, December 15, our students celebrated their graduation from the T.A.P.S. program with a ceremony and gathering.
We our so proud of our T.A.P.S. students!
Gingerbread Houses
The students in Ms. Vollmer, Ms Barnett, and Ms. Berrings classes studied slope during the month of December!
Our 8th Grade math teachers have been hard at work with their students teaching them all about exponents, scientific notation, slope, and scale models. They have been able to apply it all to a final project where the students have created their very own amazing gingerbread houses. They look awesome!
#Whatliftsyou
Winter Dance @ Walden!
Winter Fun at Woodward Park!
Mark Your Calendar : 8th Grade Promotion!
Attention 8th graders and families!
There will be an 8th grade Promotion Ceremony on May 31, 2023, at 9:00am in the auditorium at Woodward Park Middle School.
There is a strict dress code for all participating students for this special occasion to come dressed in their Sunday best. Please begin preparations.
Requirements for the occasion are as follows:
-No Tennis Shoes, Sneakers, Slides, or Crocs
-No Jeans, Joggers, Sweats, Athletic Shorts
-No T-shirts
-No Tight/Form fitting/Sleeveless/Spaghetti strap dresses (if worn, students must have something to cover the shoulders and bottoms)
-Must attend rehearsal on 5/25/23 and 5/30/23
-Must be on time on the day of the ceremony, no later than 8:15am on 5/31/23. Late arrivals will not participate
-Must pass 3 out of the 4 classes (ELA, Math, Science, and Social Studies) for the year
Thank you in advance for your participation!
Woodward Park Middle School
"Educate, Elevate & Motivate
Every Child, Every Day!"
Email: eoliver@columbus.k12.oh.us
Website: https://www.ccsoh.us/woodwardparkms
Location: 5151 Karl Rd, Columbus, OH, USA
Phone: 614-365-5354
Twitter: @WoodwardParkMS